Agroecology, a multifaceted approach aiming for sustainability across social, political, economic, and environmental dimensions in global food systems, is seeing increased traction within the United States. This development was highlighted in a recent commentary published in Nature Food, led by Theresa Ong, an assistant professor of environmental studies at Dartmouth College. Ong emphasizes that while organic farming and regenerative agriculture are more familiar concepts in the U.S., agroecology distinguishes itself by striving for both ecological integrity and social sustainability without compromising either.
“The core of agroecology lies in preserving biodiversity and ecosystem health while ensuring the livelihoods of farmers and maintaining culturally relevant food systems,” explains Ong.
Critics of the current U.S. food system argue it is predominantly characterized by industrial agriculture practices, such as monoculture production, heavy reliance on pesticides and fertilizers, and extensive use of fossil fuel-dependent technologies.
Previous research underscores that these practices contribute to global challenges including food insecurity, public health crises, biodiversity loss, and climate change. Addressing these issues necessitates a transformation of the industrial food system, a call echoed by advocates globally and supported by the United Nations, which sees agroecology as a pivotal mechanism for this change.
Despite its growing international acclaim, agroecology has been slower to gain recognition outside academic circles in the U.S. However, recent initiatives, such as the 2023 U.S. Agroecology Summit convened by the Department of Agriculture, mark a turning point. This summit brought together 100 stakeholders to discuss advancing agroecological research and practices nationwide.
Key outcomes from the summit included calls for equitable representation of all stakeholders within the food system, increased funding accessibility, and the promotion of ethical research practices. Central to these discussions was the concept of “food sovereignty,” championed by movements like La Vía Campesina, which asserts the right to culturally appropriate, healthy food production and access.
“The momentum behind agroecology has been building, supported by initiatives like the U.S. Food Sovereignty Alliance and state-level food sovereignty laws,” notes Ong, reflecting on progress made since the movement’s inception.
Moving forward, the emphasis remains on inclusivity and collaborative decision-making among diverse farming communities and stakeholders. Ong stresses that agroecology thrives on coalition-building across farmers, activists, and academics to foster sustainable and equitable food systems.
Contributors to the commentary included academics and experts from institutions such as California State University, East Bay; University of South Florida; Colorado State University; University of Michigan; and Montana State University.
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